Remote working is great – the freedom to work from anywhere, working in your pjs, travelling the world and having as much flexibility as physically possible, however there are negative sides to remote working.

Lack of structure, isolation and more distractions are just a few on a long list of negatives. Follow these simple steps to guide you through remote working…

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

You wouldn’t start work on your first day in an office and expect not to have the chance to ask questions or ask for help if you needed it, so don’t fall into the trap of struggling through at home on your own and not asking for help.

Get to know your team mates by connecting on platforms like LinkedIn and email them to introduce yourself. Ask them questions about things you need to know and get to know them on a more personal level.

Make friends

It’s hard to ‘make friends’ when you don’t see people face to face – especially when people are busy doing their own work. It’s easy to feel disconnected when you’re not seeing your co-workers every day. There is only one way to deal with this and that is to proactively communicate with your team through emails, calls or even face to face meetings. During this time, you don’t even need to talk about work… talk about interests, hobbies, family or friends – use this time to get to know one another on a more personal level.

Remember to have a work life balance

It’s all too easy to get consumed by working all the time when you’re working from home – it’s easy to get the personal and professional time lines blurred. If you’re flexibly working as well as remotely working you could find this even harder. It’s important to create your own routine – not just for your sanity but also for everyone else. This way your team know when you’re going to be online and know when they can expect to get hold of you.

Define your priorities when your day starts so you still have focus and goals – as you would in the office!

Dress for work

It’s all too easy to roll out of bed and switch on your laptop – still in your pyjamas, however this could be more detrimental than you might think. Taking care of your appearance is a sign of respect to yourself and will make you feel more ready for the day and professional. It’s easy to fall into the habit of being a slob but no body wants that!

Stay active

You’re at home all day – why would you ever need to move. Exercise isn’t just a physical medicine but also a mental one. Take care of yourself and keep your mind clear by getting at least an hour a day in. You don’t have the excuse of not having time anymore – get a run in at lunchtime!

Don’t become a recluse

Working remotely has its benefits but being social is not one of them. You may like your own company but there is only so long someone can go without human interaction. Don’t isolate yourself with your own company when there are plenty of opportunities to go out and work alongside others. Try working at your local coffee shop or co-working space.

If you have some more tips for working remotely, we would love to hear from you!